BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1982
35 years of “RIO”!
“Rio” is the seventh single by Duran Duran. It was first released as a single in Australia, in August 1982, followed by a UK release on 1 November 1982.
The song was the fourth, final, and title single lifted from the band’s album of the same name, and was edited for its release. It was issued worldwide in January 1983 and became an immediate Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #9 on 11 December 1982.
“Rio” was released as the third single from the album in Australia, and debuted on the Kent Music Report top 100 singles chart dated 6 September 1982.
The song did not attract much notice in the United States upon its initial global release, but received very early airplay at highly influential KROQ in Los Angeles as early as 2 August 1982. After the band’s breakthrough hit “Hungry Like the Wolf” stormed MTV and scaled the American charts in December 1982, radio programmers paid closer attention to the catchy melody and insistent, intricate bass line of “Rio”, and Capitol Records reissued the single in March 1983 to great success as the band’s 2nd US top 20 hit.(peaking at #14)
It is one of the band’s most recognisable songs, mostly due to its famous music video, which is widely regarded as symbolic of 1980s glamour and excess.
The parent album “RIO” was released 35 years ago this week May 10, 1982.
SIDE A:
Rio (Part 2) 5:30
SIDE B:
Rio (Part 1) 5:11
My Own Way 4:37
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Rio | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #14 |
| 1983 | Rio | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #5 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI – 12 EMI 5346
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Colin Thurston
Sleeve – Assorted iMaGes
Written-By – Duran Duran
NOTES:
Mastered at Town House
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Great rip, especially compared to the Singles 81-85 box set, much more natural and dynamic sounding. I did notice a discrepancy with Rio (Part 1 and 2) however, in that the beginning clicks on the left channel in the first 6-7 seconds of the song seem to not be present compared to the Singles box set. Is it possible that you may have thought they were actual vinyl clicks and removed them on accident? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. If they were accidentally removed, is there the possibility of updating this to keep the clicks in? Thanks a… Read more »
Thank you very much Paul.
🙂 Great music!!
One of the greatest basslines ever!
Have a listen to it in isolation and marvel at the genius of a 19 year old JT:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwwgZWAbG0
Thanks for that info on what remixes are what. I appreciate it.
great choice paul,
e.
i have almost every version of this song, and never get tired of it.
rio is a classic song, and album.
yes, celebrating the 35th and many more to come.
later
-1
35 years. I feel old! Another thing I’m dismayed about is that I’ve realised I don’t currently own a copy of the album. Must get that sorted. I only ever had it on cassette back in the day, but I threw them all away some years ago. Took a whole car load of cassettes (music and video) to the tip and found it strangely liberating…
Paul – you continue to amaze with your fantastic taste in music. I’ve never heard these remixes – and probably more shocking – this is the first time I’ve heard this version of My Own Way (one of my absolute DD favourites). It’s slower than the other versions I have – did it come out before the faster BPM version or after?
Stephen have you never listened the Rio album? This version of My Own Way is (I believe) the ‘Carnival Remix’ and very similar to the Rio LP version. The high BPM version was a single released in late ’81, well before the Rio LP.
The version of “My Own Way” here is a different mix than the one in the album IMO (I gonna call it “Single Version ’82”). Thank you Paul for another rarity!
Awesome post. im feelin kinda OLD hahahahahha, anyhow cheers for this.. o and VIEW to a KILL steve thompson remix IS avail through the DD fan club apparently they do bootlegs lol or u can buy a copy on discogs that has the 7min 24 secs remix of A VIEW TO A KILL.
https://www.discogs.com/Duran-Duran-Unleashed/release/6232255
Thanks Paul!
You’re welcome jtf 🙂
I know for the first album Duran Duran literally hadn’t worked out how 12″ mixes were done, so for the “night versions” they went in and rerecorded the songs, playing the 12″ version there in the studio! Had they worked it out by Rio?
It is really cool how they really designed the art of 12″ making 🙂
I love when the picture came into view when I first logged in! I so loved Patrick Nagel’s artwork. Even Karen and I had a Nagel print in our first apartment together. What memories, especially for Karen. She really loved the early Duran Duran. I did too, but, I must admit, was really into their later career, starting with “I Don’t Want Your Love” and “All She Wants Is” and “Notorious”. But every thing they released had beautiful merit and gives me all sorts of warm reminiscences. Oh Paul, and to hear your readers express themselves because of the music… Read more »
Thank you Jeff. I can’t believe it’s been 35 years since the “RIO” LP was released. Gosh how time has gotten away from me. I still remember being in Junior high and high school Duran Duran were the band that I and my friends were so into. I had such a crush on Roger Taylor 🙂
You have the best taste, Paul!! Oh, and I agree about Mr. Taylor too!!
Jeff
omg, you read my mind Paul! What a great pick! Another iconic 80’s Hit, right up there with Sweet Dreams and all the other big Smash Hits from back in the BIG 80’s. I am wondering if this is the “Night Version”? Or is this remix something else. I will have to pull out my Duran Duran ‘Rio” reissue CD and compare the remixes to figure it out. Thanks for this, it’s the obscure stuff along with the big hit’s that make me keep coming back to check out what your ripping. I’m getting hooked!
memoryboy “Part 2” is not the version that is on the 2009 CD re-issue listed as “Night Version” which is a bit longer. The version I posted is more instrumental. According to Wikipedia there are about twelve versions of “Rio”.
Sheer Brilliance Paul! It doesn’t get any better than this. Was watching the Arena DVD a few days ago and got well in the “Duran” zone! I so love their music, the style and the controlled madness of it all. Just total Perfection!
Anyway massive thanks as always. You bring such delight and pure unadulterated joy to us all.
We are so grateful our dear friend for all that you do.
With Hugs…
Thank you Roy. I love the “Arena” film I remember fondly when MTV premiered it and “Blue Silver”. All of my friends were screaming girls lol. Great memories 🙂
Oh Paul, you are just spoiling us, you naughty boy 🙂
One iconic record following the other. I love it – coming home from
work, having a light dinner, starting the computer and visiting
Paul´s Treasure Planet. This has become some sort of a ritual for me.
What will I find there today? Well, a gem, of course. A great song,
images in my head replaying the well-known, sensational promo video.
Was the “night version” (6´39) released on a US 12inch back then?
Thank you again and again, Paul.
Thanks for making BTG part of your daily ritual Song_and_Dance. As far as I know the “Night Version” (6:39) was not released on vinyl. The “Rio (Part 2)” was only released in UK.
Actually the night version was originally released on the European edition of the Carnival ep, which was actually the first Duran Duran record I ever bought and at the time I never really realized it was such a difficult mix to find while the USA Harvest version has a different track listing and was where one could originally find the versions later found on the Kersheinbaum remixed version of the Rio album, the European version of that ep also contained the alternate night version of Girls on Film. I have to say this has been a week of classics… funny… Read more »
I have three versions of the Carnival EP Japan, Dutch and US guess I need to really go back and listen to them so I can recognize the versions. Thanks for cluing me in Joey. That clear vinyl 12″ is very cool 🙂
I collected all three too 🙂 And they are indeed all different, though to be honest at the time I was pretty clueless about everything untill i did research online… at the time I thouht the US carnival ep was a ripoff because they sounded like the versions on my copy of Rio. I had no idea of all of the variations of that album. I took it for granted that the night version of Hungry Like The Wolf was the same as the album version…. also regarding The Rio remix, there is a full lengh version without a fade… Read more »
Thank you Paul. I have the 2009 2cd collector’s edition of Rio, which is absolutely brilliant. One of the most significant albums of the 80s.
I have that one too Omar. Enjoy! 🙂
Hi Paul, it’s a lovely coincidence that I’m listening DD in a live performance in Praetoria right now. By the way, I just love the song you posted. Hugs!!!!
Ezequiel
That’s so cool Ezequiel 🙂